Third party presidential candidates- do you know all your options?

This year I could barely find a decisive list of ALL of the presidential candidates running in the election, even after trying about 10 different Google searches- yes, 10 ! Although voting for a third party candidate may seem scary (Happy Halloween!), most of the reasons to not vote for these candidates are thin when you think about it. Why should we be limited to only two options? To use the the Libertarian point of view for a second—many people vote for the lesser of two evils (Democrat or Republican) because that is how things are, but that is not the only way to do things.

The (other) candidates running in this election include: Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico for the Libertarian Party, Peta Lindsay for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Jill Stein for the Green Party, and former Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode for the Constitution Party. Lindsay is actually not considered a legitimate presidential candidate by the Constitution, since she is 28 years old and the minimum age requirement for president is 35 years old. However, Lindsay is on the ballot in 13 states, including New York.

If you’re not familiar, here is a quick description of each party (taken from the Ithaca College newspaper The Ithacan) :

“The Green Party emphasizes a sustainable and environmental approach to issues, particularly for job creation.

Libertarians advocate the preservation of civil liberties and individual rights.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation applies the socialist ideals of government-funded programs to education and healthcare.

The Constitution Party strives to uphold the principles of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence by advocating for minimal federal involvement by giving more power to local and state levels.”

Before I was old enough to vote, I believed that people picked the best candidate —the one that you personally agreed with—and then voted for that person. The two main parties outcast and overshadow the other parties in funding, the debates, and did I say funding? Funding. This may be because they take a more mainstream stance on most issues. They receive more in personal donations, as well as from the government.

To receive government funding, and to be able to compete in advertising with mainstream parties, third party candidates need only five percent of the vote in the general election. It has been pointed out to me that, “New York will go blue in the electoral college anyway; So your vote wouldn’t matter.” If this is true, why not ‘waste’ it intelligently and try to achieve five percent? And voting for a third party, by the way, will not be a vote for the Republicans if the EC votes Democrat— that is a propaganda campaign long used by candidates.

Government funding for third parties would mean that issues raised by the third party will be forced into public awareness, whether by debates among themselves or by questions posed to the other two candidates. I.G. issues that the other two candidates are afraid to bring up or talk about.

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A Vote for a 3rd party is a vote for a change in our stagnant, divided political system that is helping very few currently. I can’t in good conscience vote for either “major party” candidate, so I’m going 3rd party. Who knows, if enough people join me, maybe in an election or two we’ll actually have more that two candidates with a shot at winning.